Alarm-controlling mechanism



L. M. LEWIS.

ALARM CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, I919- Patented May 11,1920.

INVENTOR ITTORNEYQ UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

LEROY M. LEWIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ALARM-CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

Application filed A ia 1.6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LnnoY M. Lnwis, a citizen of the United States, resident of the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm-Controlling Mechanism, of which the following is a s :)ecification,reference being had to the accompanying draw ing, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to certain improvements in automatic sprinkler systems adapted to be installed in buildings and similar locations for protection against fire and has reference more particularly to a controlling niechimism for an alarm utilized in connection with the sprinkler system to indicate the opening of one or more of the sprinkler heads upon the occurrence of a fire or other causes, which may allow the extinguishing fluid to escape from any portion of such system.

One ofthe objects of my invention is to provide a controlling mechanism for an alarm which will. operate only upon the opening of a sprinkler head and which will not,

operate prematurely to give a false alarm from any cause such as leakage, water hammer and other similar conditions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism of the type mentioned which will operate at a predetermined in.

terval of time after the opening of the alarm check valve which occurs after the opening of a sprinkler head.

A still further object of my invention is to provide the mechanism with means to normally accommodate for any of the conditions tending toward producing a false alarm but being sufliciently sensitive to effectively operate upon the actualoccurrence of a fire and the openingof a sprinkler head.

z Such other useful objects and advantages Specification of Letters Patent Patented May 11, 1.920.

1919. Serial No. 290,451.

tion of the controlling mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in section of the auxiliary valve device, and

Fig. at a fragmentary top plan'view of the auxiliary valve and the main valve.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the device as illustrated, comprises an alarm check valve structure having a hollow casing or body portion 1 provided at one end with a supply inlet 2" and at its opposite end with a discharge outlet 3, both of which and the chamber of the casing 1 may be in alinement for providing a direct passage for the extinguishing fluid. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 are provided with annular flanges l and 5 respectively suitably secured as by bolts 6 and 7 to the supply pipe 8 and the discharge pipe 9.

Vithin the body of the casing is proyided a transverse partition 10 of substantially annular form .and preferably integral with the casing. The inner marginal portion ,of this partition is preferably arranged in a plane inclined slightly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion 1. The body of the casing also may be. provided with a threadedopening 1.1 through one side of the casing for connection with a drain pipe .(not shown).

The casing or body portion 1 is also provided with a laterally extending substantially cylindrical hollow extension 12 preferably integral therewith, the interior of this extension communicatin with the chamber of the casing 1 on the outlet side of the check valve. The outer end of this extension is suitably closed by a cover or bonnet 13.which is suitably secured to the extension 12 as by bolts 14.

For the purpose of controlling the flow of the extinguishing fluid through the main passage between the supply and discharge there is arranged within the body portion or casing 1 between the annular partition 10 and the outlet a substantially circular main valve or clapper 15 which is provided on its inner side with a flat annular marginal surface 16 which is proportioned'and arranged to cooperate with'an annular valve seat 17 which is threaded into the annular partition 10 and which is also provided with a comparatively narrow flat bearing edge 18 arranged in a plane also slightly inclined to the axis of'the body or casing 1 and ,sub stantially parallel to the plane of the inner marginal portion oi. the partition 10 and agalnst which edge a flat marginal under surface 16 of the main' valve 15 engages when the main valve is closed.

For the purpose of supporting the valve 15 with its flat marginal undersurface 16 coincident with the bearing edge 18 of the valve seat, as well as to oscillate with respect to its seat 18 about a iixed axis, the main valve is provided with the arms-19, prefer-- ably integral therewith projecting therefrom approximately in a plane therewith and toward the cover 13. The other ends of these arms are enlarged to form substantiallycylindrical bearings 20 which are rotatably mounted upon a cylindrical pivot or shaft 21 extending therethrough, the longitudinal axis of which may be coincident with the plane of the bearing edge 18 of the main valve seat 17 and substantially parallel to the plane of the flat end 22 of the extension 12 of the casing. The ends of the pivot 21 may extend into and fit in suitable sup porting means that may be located or formed in thewalls of the casing as is more fully disclosed in Letters Patent #1,137,025, granted April 27, 1915, to Arthur C. Rowley.

The main valve 15 is centrally cupped or depressed toward the inlet as at 23 throughout the major portion of its area and is also provided on its outlet side with a lug 24 preferably integral therewith which is adapted to act as a stop for the valve 15 in its completely open position. Within the cupped portion is located an abutment projection 25 which extends toward the outlet 3 and which is of utility for a purpose hereinafter more fully disclosed.

For the purpose of sounding or otherwise giving an alarm when the main valve 15 swings to openposition there is provided an auxiliary valve 26 adapted to cooperate with an auxiliary valve seat 27 preferably in the form of a removable bushing suitably secured to the partition 10 as by screw threads 28 at one side of the valve 15 at a point substantially midway between parallel lines tangent to the periphery of the valve 15 at the ends of a diameter which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivot 21, the

purpose of such location of the valve 26 hereinafter more fully appearing. The wall of the casing 1 is enlarged at aside thereof as at 29 within which is located a transverse bore or passage 30 which extends to both sides of the casing, the ends of said bore being suitably threaded so that a pipe connection may be made therewith from either 'side of thecasing as convenience may clictate, the other end of the bar being accordingly su tably closed as by a screw plug. Communication is had between the bore 30 and the port of the auxiliary valve seat 27" against the auxiliary valve seat 27.

external end of the plug 39 1s also of a bearing surface 33 coaxial with the auxiliary valve 26 when the latter is in position against the seat 27. The valve 26 is in the form of a. circular fiat disk and is freely movable the sleeve 34 so that one-of its flat faces may be readily engaged against the auxiliary seat 27. The sleeve 34: is in the form, of a hollow cylinder suitably threaded on its outer surface to be adjust 7 ably secured in a cylindrical enlar ement 35 integrally provided at the end oi the cross arm 36, a lock-nut 37 being used to main tain the sleeve in secured position. sleeve is also provided at oneend with an inwardly projecting marginal flange 38 adapted to engage against the marginal portion of the inner fiat face of the auxiliary valve 26 for the purpose of moving the latter from its seat 27 at a predetermined time after the start of the opening of the main valve 15 and the other end of said sleeve is provided with an aperture'd screw plug 39, arranged to prevent the escape ofthe valve 26 uponits rearward movemen from the valve seat 27. The aperture provided within the plug 39 permits the fluid in the chain-- ber of the casing 1 to normally, enter the sleeve 34: into contact with the auxiliary valve in order to seat it or hold it seated shape suitable to receive a tool for the insertion or removal of the plug. The sleeve 3 l may be so adjusted in the enlargement 35 that the flange 38 may be normally spaced away from the inner surface of the valve 26 when the latter is seated against the seat 27 whenthe main valve is in its closed position, such space providing for a certain amount of lead found advantageous in this type of alarm valve. Having such a lead, any conditions that would act upon the valve to merely slightly open it willrnot effect an opening of the valve 26, while on the other hand upon theccmplete opening of the main valve 15 the opening of theauxiliary valve is, in accordance with the lead given it, retarded in a certain time relation with the opening of the main valve.

As aforesaid the enlargement is integrallyprovided at the end of the cross-a1 36. This cross-arm is normally disposed transversely and adjacent the central. por- The u The V tion of the'outlet side of the main valve in a'substantially parallel. relation to the axis of the pivot 21 and is provided with a laterally extending abutment ll) which normally engages or abuts against the lug or abutment on the main valve 15. The cross-arm is preferably provided with laterally extending arms 11 the outer ends of which are provided with bearing members l2 suitably fitting, for pivotal action, over the pivot shaft 21 at suflicient distance apart to give suflieient rigidity to the construction whereby the cross-arm will be maintained in its parallel relation to the axis of the shaft 21 irrespective of the angular movement of the cross-arm 36 and its connected parts about such axis.

From the foregoing it may be seen that the construction and arrangement oi the parts are such that in the operation of the device the sleeve 3 1 surrounding the auxiliary valve 26 moves in unison with the main valve 15 and that the adjusting feature, providing for a certain amount of lead for the valve 26, permits, within the prescribed limits, a retardation of opening of the auxiliary valve 26 with respect to the opening of the main valve 15.

If, however, it be desired the sleeve may be adjusted so that both valves may open practically simultaneously. lVhen, however, the sleeve 34; is adjusted to permit the main valve 15 to open slightly in advance of the'auxiliary valve 26, the latter is held against its seat by the fluid pressure in the casing, during the initial opening movement oi the main valve 15 until the arms 36 and %1, as well as the sleeve 3 1, be sufliciently moved, by reason oi the contact of the abutment projection 25 ns; the allutl'nent it) (l ter. 7 for the purpose of carrying the flange 38 into engagement with the valve 26. A. further movement in the same direction of the parts above enumerated coordinately acts to lift the auxiliary valve 26 from its seat 27 and permits the entrance of the fluid into the chamber of the casing 1, into the passages 30 and 31 and to the alarm controlling mechanism hereinafter more fully disclosed. When the main valve is in its completely open position the lug 2 1 engages against the lug in the casing.

The parts are so arrangedtlmt upon the rem i val of the cover or bonnet 13 convenient access may be had to all of the elements or parts contained within the casing so that the same may be conveniently adjusted or removed and replaced, as may be desired or found necessary.

It will be noted that in this device the auxiliary valve is located at one side of the main valve 15 and in a line passing substantially through the center of the valve and lying parallel to the axis of the shaft21. This arrangement is followed in order that the opening of the auxiliary valve may be proportionately smaller than the movement of the forward end 4 1 of the main valve 15 upon the opening thereof. This is an im portant advantage. when conditions exist that tend to. temporarily open the main valve, such as water hammers and other similar effects. In the prior art structures where the auxiliary valve is located at substantially the same distance from the axis,

about which it rotates, as the forward end of the main valve it is obvious that for any movement of the main valve there is a like movement ofthe means acting upon the auxiliary valve. If, however, a certain amount of lead be necessary in the prior art structure for a certain proper operation of the auxiliary valve it will be noted that in the present invention about one half of that amount of lead is required to effect the same result. The structure of. the present inven tion has, therefore, a greater range oi adjustment for any amount of opening of the main valve. By also locating the auxiliary valve proximate to but out of the direct path of the main currentof the extinguishing fluid through the main valve, the instant oi the flow of such fluid to the alarm con trolling means, is more accurately timed in relation to the effective opening of the main valve. The auxiliary valve is instantly operated at the end of the lead given it so that a greater degree oi sensitiveness in oporation is obtained in its connection with the alarm controlling mechanism.

For the purpose of controlling the alarm only upon the opening of the main valve occasioned upon the occurrence of a fire or similar condition so that such alarm may operate at a predetermined time after such operation of the main valve and with such retardation as to avoid the giving of a false alarm as from a merely temporary opening of the main valve or upon a flow of the fluid through the auxiliary valve due to a succession of water hammers or by reason of leakage or other similar conditions, I. have provided a device, of which one form is illustrated in elevation in Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 2 of the drawing, connected by a pipe to the transverse bore or passage 30 in the casing 1.

This pipe is connected at its other end with a T-fitting 46 suitably secured as by screw threads to the apertured top of a diaphragm casing 47. This diaphragm casing comprises an upper shallow concave shell 18 and a lower elongated cup shape shell 49 both of which shells are provided with annular marginal flanges 50 and 51 and between which is also interposed a circular diaphragm 52 the margins of thelatter being disposed between the flanges 50 and Suitable securing means, such as bolts 53, may be used for tightly -lamping.the flanges 50 and 51 and the diaphragm 52 together. The diaphragm 52 thus divides the casing 47 into two non-intercommunicating chambers 48 and 49. The chamber 48, however, freely communicates with the fitting 46, while the chamber 49 is merely provided with a vent'50, in the upper portion thereof, to the atmosphere. The lower end 54 of the shell 49 is provided with an opening which is suitably secured, as by screw threads, to a plug 55. This plug 55 is centrally bored to slidably receive a valve stem 56 suitably connected at an end thereof to the center of the flexible diaphragm 52 as by means of binding nuts 57 and at the other end to a disk valve 58 adapted to cooperate with the valveseat 59 provided in the drain valve fitting 60 suitably secured, as by screw threads, to the exterior of the lower end 54 of the shell 49. A coil spring 61 may be interposed between the valve 59 and the nuts 57 on the diaphragm 52 in such a manner as to normally urge the diaphragm 52 in an upward direction or in a direction away from the plug 55 as well as normally holding the disk valve 58 at a substantial distance from its seat 59, that is, normally maintaining the drain valve open. The rear of the disk valve is provided with a flat surface 58 adapted to seat against the flat face 55' of the plug 55 to prevent a leakage by the valve stem 56 into the chamber 49. The drain valve fitting 60 is connected at the outlet side thereof by means of a drain pipe section 62 and at the inlet side thereof by a connecting pipe section 63, the latter leading from a T-fitting 64 suitably secured, as by screw threads, to the lower portion of another diaphragm casing 65, a screw plug 66 being suitably provided to close the lower opening of the T-fitting. The casing comprises two similarly formed shallow concave shells 67 and 68 both of which are centrally apertured. The fitting 64 referred to above is secured, as by screw threads, into the aperture of the lower shell 68. Both of the shells 67 and 68 are provided with annular marginal flanges 69 and 70 and have "interposed therebetween a circular flexible diaphragm 71 with the margin of the latter located between the flanges 69 and 70. Suitable securing means, such as bolts 72, may be used for tightly clamping the flanges 69 and 7 0 and the diaphragm 71 together.

The diaphragm casings 47 and 65 may be integrally formed if desired, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the upper shells 48 and 66 and the lower shells 49 and 67 are shown as respectively formed from single pieces of metal.

This feature of integrality of the shell members, however, is not essential and the parts referred to may be made separately, if desired.

The diaphragm 71 is also centrally apertured to receive the threaded end of a tubular member 78 which is connected in a liquid type manner to the diaphragm 71 by means of washers 74 and binding nuts 75. While the diaphragm 71 divides the casing 65 into non-intercommuni'cating chambers 67 and 68', the latter, however, is adapted to freely communicate with the fitting 64 and also with the interior of the tubular member 7 3.

The other end of the tubular member 73 has connected thereto, as by screw threads, a tubular valve stem 76 integrally formed with a valve 77 adapted to coiiperate with a valve seat 78 of the control valve 79.

Between the control valve and the diaphragm casing 65 is connected a pipe 80 which is of larger diameter than the tubular member 7 3 and is concentrically arranged in respect thereto to provide an annular passage therebetween for establishing communication between the inlet chamber 81 of the control valve 79 and the chamber 67 of the diaphragm casing 65. For this arrangement the lower casing portion of the control valve 79 may be provided with a threaded opening in which may fit a reducing coupling 82 suitably connected, as by screw threads, to an end of the pipe 80, the other end of the pipe 80 being threaded for securement to an upstanding annular flange 88 integrally formed with the shell 67 and surrounding the aperture provided in the upper portion of said shell. This shell is formed in this aperture with an integral annular shoulder 84 upon which rests a perforated spacing plate 85 through which the tubular member 73 is adapted to be guided in its longitudinal movement with the diaphragm 71 as well asbeing adapted to maintain the tubular member 73 in its central relation with the pipe 80. The end of the pipe 80 is adapted in its connection with the flange 83 to seat against the margin of the plate 85 to maintain the latter in its position on the shoulder 84. The lower end of the valve stem 76 is provided with radially extending lugs 86 also acting as spacing means between the tubular member 73 and the pipe 80.

The control valve casing is divided into two chambers by a partition 87 in which is provided the valve seat 78 referred to above. Of these chambers, the chamber 81 is the inlet chamber and the chamber 88 is the outlet chamber, communication therebetween being possible throughthe port of the valve seat 78.

At the upper casing portion of the control valve 79 is provided an opening surrounded by an annular shoulder 89 and an up-standing annular flange 90 suitably threaded to receive a pipe connection 91 leading to and communicating with the T-fitting 46.

Upon'the shoulder 89 is seated an orifice disk 92 suitably threaded on its periphery to be fitted Within the internal threaded portion of the up-standing flange 90. From this disk depends an integral nozzle 93 the lower end of which fits within the upper end of the tubular valve stem 76. This disk 92 and the nozzle 93 are centrally pro vided with a passage or orifice o't predetermined size, the purpose of which will hereinafter more fully appear. It will. he noted that the tubular stem 76 is adapted to longitudinally slide over the nozzle 93. The disk 92 is also provided with a nut portion 92 adapted to be suitably engaged by a socket wrench or the like'for screwing the disk 92 to its seat.

The control valve is connected at its inlet side by the pipe 9st from any suitable source of fluid under pressure that may be eventually utilized to actuate an alarm, and at its outlet side by the pipe 95 which may lead to the alarm to be actuated upon the occurrence of a fire and the consequent opening of the main check valve 15.

In operation when the main and auxiliary valves 15 and 25 are in their normally inoperative conditions, whatever amount of extinguishing fluid that may escape past the valve 26, whether due to leakage or water hammer or other causes, will flow through the pipe etc"), T-fitting 46, pipe connection 91, nozzle 93, tubular stem 76, tubular member 73, chamber (38, fitting (34:, pipe (33, drain valve 60 and linally to the drain pipe (32, the diameter of the orifice in. the nozzle bein of a size to readily accommodate such flow of fluid. On the other hand, however, when the main valve 15 is operated upon the opening of a sprinkler head and with a consequent complete opening of the auxiliary valve 26 a considerably larger flow oi fluid occurs through the passage above mentioned with the result that the nozzle orifice will be 01 too small capacity to accommodate such flow. Pressure will, therefore, be built up in the passage communicating with the chamber 48 as well. as within the latter, such pressure being suflicient, after a predetermined time, to move the diaphragm 52 against the force of the coil. spring (31, thereby carrying the drain valve 58 to its seat and closing the same. It will also be noted that the valve 77 with the diaphragm- 71 constitutes a differential valve arrangement, the actuating fluid in the pipe 9i being normally under pressure in said pipe as well as in the chamber 81, pipe 80 and chamber 67 such pressure acting against the diaphragm 71 to maintain the valve 77 to its seat, while also acting against the valve 7 7 to open it when the pressure upon the diaphragm is so changed as to permit it. Such change of pressure in the diaphragm 71 occurs When the drain valve 58 in the fitting 60 is closed and the fluid in the connections from the alarm check valve casing flows into the chamber 68 and gradually build up a pressure therein against the lower side of the diapl'lragm 71 to equalize that already existing upon the other side of the diaphragm from the fluid pressure in the inlet side of the controlling valve. The pressure in both sides of the diaphragm 71 being thus equalized there is no longer any effect upon said diaphragm to maintain the valve 77 closed and, therefore, the pressure in the valve chamber 81 of the control valve accordingly becomes operative to open the valve 77, the latter with its stem 76 sliding over the nozzle 93. The actuatingfluid ac cordingly flows to the outlet pipe 95 and finally to the alarm means to be actuated thereby.

While I have herein disclosed. one embodiment of my invention it is to be understood, however, that the latter is not to be limited to the particular details herein de scribed and illustrated upon the accompanying drawing, but that it may comprehend any and all equivalent devices as do not depart from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an alarm controlling mechanism for automatic sprinkler systems including an alarm check valve, the combination of a diflerential means for controlling the flO'W of actuating fluid. to said alarm, said differential means comprising a control valve normally held in closed position under the influence of the pressure of said actuating fluid, a continuous fluid conduit leading from said alarm check valve, through said differential means and to a drain passage, and operative upon. the opening of said alarm check valve to conduct a substantial flow of fluid under pressure to and through said differential means for eiiecting an opening of said. control valve, a normally open drain passage, and pressure controlled means connected to said fluid conduit between said alarm check valve and said differential means for closing said drain passage upon the flow of fluid through said fluid conduit.

2. In an alarm controlling mechanism for automatic sprinkler systems including an alarm check valve, the combination of a differential means for controlling the movement of actuating fluid to an alarm, said differential means comprising a control valve normally held in closed position by the pressure of said actuating fluid, a drain valve, a continuous fluid conduit connected to said alarm check valve and said control valve and extending through said difl'erential means to said drain valve, a restricted opening in said conduit adapted to permit a small flow of fluid therethrough, pressure influenced means connected to said conduit and said d ain alve operative upon a large flow of fluid through said conduit to close said drain valve whereby increase of pressure in said fluid conduit between said differential means and said drain valve effects a movement of said differential means and an opening of said control valve. 7

3. In an alarm controlling mechanism for automatic sprinkler systems including an alarm check valve and an auxiliary valve, the combination of a drain valve, a continuous fluid conduit connecting said auxiliary valve with said drain valve, a control valve comprising a passage therethrough forming part of said fluid conduit, said control valve controlling the flow of actuating fluid from a source to an alarm and means connected to said conduit between said auxiliary valve and said control valve and acted upon by flow of fluid through sald fluid conduit upon the opening of said auxiliary valve to close said drain valve whereby increase of drain valve, a differential means comprising said drain valve as a part thereof and connected to said second mentioned conduit, a conduit connected between said'first mentioned differential means and said drain valve, whereby upon an increase of fluid pressure in said second mentioned conduit, said second difierential means becomes operative to close said drain valve and whereby upon increase of fluid pressure in said tain said control valve inoperative and a passage through said members, a conduit leading from said auxiliary valve to one end of said passage, a normally open drain valve, movable means connected to said drain valve and said conduit whereby increase'of fluid pressure in said conduit effects movement of said movable 'means for closing said drain valve and a second conduit establishing communication from the other end of? said passage to said drain valve.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand this 14th day of April, 1919. V

- LEROY M. LEWIS. 

